The Chicago White Sox are poised to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline, shopping a few hitters and pitchers that will attract interest around the league. However, the club’s efforts to trade former All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. might require some incentivizing.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the White Sox are “open” to including cash in any deal involving either Robert Jr. or outfielder Andrew Benintendi.
“The Chicago White Sox recognize they are in no position to impose the same conditions on teams that express interest in their two most expensive players, outfielders Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. In both cases, according to sources briefed on the team’s plans, the White Sox are open to including cash in trades.”
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon on the Chicago White Sox’ trade approach with Luis Robert
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Robert, who turns 28 in August, won a Gold Glove Award for his defense in 2020, then earned an All-Star selection and Silver Slugger Award in 2023. However, Chicago opted not to trade him following the 2023 season when it began its rebuild. The decision backfired.
- Luis Robert Jr contract (Spotrac): $15 million salary in 2025, $20 million club options for 2020-’27 with a $2 million buyout
Entering MLB games today, Robert has a .211/.276/.355 triple-slash line and a .630 OPS with 225 strikeouts in 629 plate appearances dating back to the 2024 season. It’s a stark contrast from the .287/.331/.511 slash line and .842 OPS he recorded in 1,292 plate appearances from 2021-’23.
He’s also not performing quite as well as he used to defensively. As a result, any team acquiring Robert would likely decline the $20 million club option next season. Combining that and the money he would be owed after being traded in July, that’s at least $8 million for a player with a 0.0 bWAR this year.
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- Luis Robert stats (ESPN): .191/.272/.314, 7 home runs, 30 RBI, 22 steals, .585 OPS
Realistically, Chicago might have to include at least $2 million in cash considerations as part of any Robert trade and the prospect return will be minimal. It’s a massive difference from what would have happened following the 2023 season, when Robert was one of the most coveted trade candidates in baseball. Two years later, Chicago essentially wants to dump his salary.
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